Vegetarian Chopped Liver

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Yields about 2 cups

by Melissa Clark
from Fine Cooking
Issue 108
Last Edit Date: 10/26/2010 12:51:29 PM

This rich mushroom-walnut pâté is especially good with pumpernickel or rye bread.

more about:

2 oz. (4 Tbs.) unsalted butter
1 large yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced into half moons
2 fresh thyme sprigs
3/4 lb. cremini (baby bella) mushrooms, cut into medium dice (4-1/2 cups)
1/2 lb. shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps cut into medium dice (2 cups)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbs. dry sherry
1 cup walnuts, toasted
1 small clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice; more to taste
1/4 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
2 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and roughly chopped
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Flaky sea salt, for garnish
Thinly sliced scallion greens or chives, for garnish

Melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and thyme and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is dark brown, 15 to 20 minutes—it should be darker than golden, but not black. Stir in the cremini and shiitake, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are soft and golden and the liquid they release has evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the sherry and cook, scraping up the browned bits from the pan, until almost evaporated, about 1 minute. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.

Transfer half of the mushroom mixture to a food processor. Add the walnuts, garlic, lemon juice, zest, 3/4 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Process until smooth, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the remaining mushroom mixture and the eggs. Pulse until coarsely chopped. Season to taste with more salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Serve in a crock or bowl or mounded on a platter, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with flaky sea salt and scallion greens or chives.

nutrition information (per serving):
Size : per 1 Tbs.; Calories (kcal): 50; Fat (g): 4.5; Fat Calories (kcal): 40; Saturated Fat (g): 1.5; Protein (g): 1; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 1; Carbohydrates (g): 3; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 2; Sodium (mg): 70; Cholesterol (mg): 15; Fiber (g): 1;

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by SugarPea, 4/11/2012I was rather skeptical about this recipe but because it was from Fine Cooking, I decided to try it. Wow, I will definately make this again and again. It was delicious! I added extra Sherry to the mushrooms while they were reducing as suggested by other reviews and it was perfect. Thank you very much!

by JanaBerry, 2/1/2011Really good. I almost always give FC recipes five stars, but I had to knock one off here. This was a great recipe, but it did need an extra shot of flavor. Maybe cooking in wine as the other reviewer suggested? That said, everyone I served this to LOVED it (as long as I didn't use the word "liver"!

by NoCoCook, 12/20/2010I made this for a party and it was a big hit. One small change: I cooked the mushrooms down in some dry white wine which really added a flavor boost!

by michyshell, 11/15/2010Excellent! I wouldn't change a thing, as my family and friends raved about this recipe. Thanks Melissa!